INDEPENDENCE — The Grayson County School Board will begin the process of hiring a new school system leader by seeking public input on qualifications for a new superintendent.
Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Thomas announced in January her intention to retire at the end of the 2011-12 school year, saying that the early announcement would allow the school board ample time to recruit and select the best candidate for the job.
Thomas has served as superintendent for six years.

INDEPENDENCE — A drivers’ license check point on March 3 led to the capture of man who had already been deported, Virginia State Police say.
The man was found with concealed weapons and drugs.
Police have issued multiple charges against Marco Antonio Lopez-Martinez, 26, who had an Independence address, said Trooper Jessie Tilson. “He’s been deported once and made his way back” into the U.S.

A $100,000 grant awarded to Smart Beginnings Twin County from the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation will move the program forward in the community, with Carroll County childcare providers being the first to see its benefits.
Launched in 2010, the statewide Smart Beginnings initiative works to improve quality care and education from birth until kindergarten. The local initiative covers Galax and the Twin Counties.

INDEPENDENCE — Anyone planning to hook onto the Town of Independence water system in the future will pay higher rates if they are approved by town council.
Proposed rates for new service are: in town, $950; out of town, $1,425; out of town/water authority, $2,925.
Independence Town Manager Kenneth Vaught said rates haven’t been increased since the mid-1980s. The current tap fees are $325 in town and $487.50 out of town.

RICHMOND –– Carroll County’s seniors took their girls’ basketball program where it has never been before. Millbrook did what it has done 104 times since its seniors were freshmen.

The Pioneers set a new Virginia High School League record with their 79th consecutive victory, holding the Cavaliers to three points in the game’s first 12 minutes and 19 seconds and breezing to a 65-31 win in the Group AA Division 4 state semifinals Tuesday at the Siegel Center.

HILLSVILLE — The commonwealth's attorney has found no wrongdoing after reviewing a Carroll County School Board member's actions in unknowingly receiving fill dirt from a construction project at the intermediate school.

Editor’s Note: This information is taken from open court records and is a matter of public record. The listings are complete. The newspaper, as a matter of fairness, will not honor requests to omit any listing.
For information on this column or questions, call 236-5178, ext. 213.

District Court

These sentences were recorded in November in the Carroll County General District Court office, Hillsville. Sentences may be appealed: